Rice Engineering and Computing invites alumni back to campus November 12-14, 2026, for a weekend of faculty talks, department gatherings and opportunities to spend time with the Rice community.
On November 13, the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing will host an alumni reception featuring a conversation with Dean Luay Nakhleh. The 45-minute fireside chat will offer a look at the school’s vision and priorities for the future of engineering and computing at Rice, followed by a light reception.
Throughout the weekend, alumni can also hear faculty share their research and insights at events across campus and spend time with former professors and friends.
Celebrate Alumni Weekend with these school-related events and department mixers:
November 13
The Future of Brain Health: Exploring What’s Next with Rice Experts, 10–10:50 am, Moody Center for the Arts
Discover how Rice researchers are unlocking new possibilities in brain health. Behnaam Aazhang, J.S. Abercrombie Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Director of the Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, will share insights along with faculty in psychology and biosciences about the future of brain research.
Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen Open House, 11 am–noon, OEDK
At this come-and-go style open house, lab assistants will be on hand to talk about the OEDK makerspace where engineering undergraduates design solutions to real-world projects.
President’s Town Hall, 3–4 pm, Brockman Hall for Opera
Join the Rice community for the President’s Town Hall with Rice University President Reginald DesRoches. Additionally, the 2026 Builders Award recipients will be recognized at this event.
School of Engineering and Computing Alumni Weekend Reception, 5–6:30 pm,
McMurtry Auditorium and Martel Hall, Duncan Hall
The Rice Engineering and Computing Reception features a fireside chat with Dean Luay Nakhleh and post-talk refreshments.
November 14
Class In Session: Award-Winning Rice Lectures, 9 am, Anderson-Clarke Center Commons
Rebecca Schreib, associate teaching professor of computer science, will deliver a TEDx-style talk. Schreib, recipient of the 2026 George R. Brown Prize for Excellence in Teaching, will share insights about her practices that make her teaching stand out.
Alumni Weekend Department Mixers
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Alumni Luncheon, November 13, 11:30 am–1 pm, O’Connor 3rd floor
The ChBE Alumni Luncheon is hosted by the Chemical Advisory Council (CAC).
Civil and Environmental Alumni Weekend Mixer, November 13, 11:30 am–1 pm, O’Connor 5th floor
Reconnect with fellow civil and environmental alumni, students, and faculty at a casual mixer-style lunch hosted by the ASCE Student Chapter
Department of Computational Applied Mathematics and Operations Research Mixer, November 13, 1 pm, Duncan Hall, 1049
Reconnect with fellow alumni, catch up with faculty and celebrate the CMOR community.
Computer Science Brunch and Panel, November 14, 10 am–noon, Duncan Hall, Martel Hall
Computer Science alumni are invited to a light brunch and conversation with Rice computer science faculty about AI agents and AI safety. Department chair Chris Jermaine will moderate a panel titled, “Will AI Destroy the World?” joined by Vicente Ordóñez, Hanjie Chen, Tasos Kyrillidis and Alireza Fallah. During the panel, they’ll discuss how AI agents are kept in bounds, where agents have gone off script and what it means for the future, followed by audience Q&A.
Visit the Rice Alumni Weekend events page for the full list of campus-wide activities.